Taylor’s educators reveal that they teach about money, not for money
HAVING passion makes all the difference when it comes to sharing knowledge as an educator.
Being passionate about the subject and grooming the next generation for an industry adds an inspirational aspect that makes an education even more effective and engaging.
Katharene Expedit is a professional accountant who had previously worked in a Big Four accounting firm, a corporate advisory firm in Australia, and in the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA).
But when push comes to shove, she would teach in a heartbeat – which she has done for over 12 years.
“Teaching is hard work, and it is not an occupation you would go for if you are looking for material wealth, ” said Expedit, the programme director of the School of Professional Studies at Taylor’s College, who also lectures in the ACCA Foundation in Accounting (FIA) programme.
Expedit says her heart is full when she sees the success of her students and them blossom under her care.
“One student said that my motivation and encouragement brought her to where she is today, and another a first-class honour recipient on stage gave me the label ‘mother of accounting’, which is a bonus no dollar value can equate to, ” she said.
Bryan Chan Loke Teng, a professional accountant and lecturer in the ACCA programme, concurs that he feels much more fulfilled as an educator, having been inspired by his Prinsip Akaun tuition teacher who was incredibly patient with him in Form Four.
“People have told me that teaching won’t help me progress faster in my career, compared to a corporate job. However, I always believe that everyone knows what they really want to achieve in life, ” said Chan.
“For me, being an educator is about passing the torch to the next generation, by giving them guidance and life advice on how to move forward. Only with a good education can our younger generation build a good future.”
Chan says that his previous industry experience places his students at an advantage as he is able to impart real-world knowledge and street smarts to his students.
However, Chan points out that his previous industry experience places his students at an advantage as he is able to impart real-world knowledge and street smarts to his students.
“My past industry experience in multinational corporations has given me exposure to people from different backgrounds and cultures, and improved my interpersonal and communication skills. These are useful skills to impart to students as well as prepare them to know what to expect once they graduate, ” he said.
One of the expectations that students have of accountancy is that they deal with numbers only – an assumption Expedit says is inaccurate.
Expedit believes that an accounting qualification enables one to take on any corporate or business position.
“Accountants are not mere number crunchers, we’re so much more. The accounting qualification gives you the skill and knowledge to take on any corporate or business position. It grooms you to become intrapreneurs or entrepreneurs. It is a robust qualification which opens the door to a whole wide business world.”
She reveals that ACCA FIA is the fastest route to a professional accounting qualification, and Taylor’s has designed its programme to include creative and critical thinking skills.
Chan adds that students receive personal attention as the classes are kept small, and lecturers including himself are happy to accommodate flexible consultation hours apart from class times.
“Furthermore, students can always re-watch their lectures anytime and anywhere on our ReWind platform for the sections they have missed, ” he said.
For more information on the ACCA FIA programme at Taylor’s College, visit https://college.taylors.edu.my/en/study/professional-studies/acca-fia.html
